Mining apparatus



Feb. 7, 1933. L A` MAXSON 1,896,184

MINING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 17, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l ,Luk/4MM.

Feb- 7, L. A. MXSN MINING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan; 17, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 55 1 69 6770 54 9 15 M15 711mm 3 10 Patented Feb. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOUIS A. M AXJSON, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE ASSIGNOR'TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING .APPARATUS Application led January 17, 1929, Serial No. 333,080. 'Renewed MayV 23,419.30.'

This invention relates to mining apparatus and more `particularly to coal mining apparatus of the swinging cutter bar type havingimproved means for effecting bar swing. An object of this invention is to provlde an 'improved mining apparatus. n object vis toprovide an improved coal mmi'ng apparatus of the pivoted cutter bartype having improved swinging means for effecting bar` swing. A further object is to provide improved kerf cutting mechanism of the pivoted cutterl bar type having improved plural speed swinging mechanism for the cutter bar whereby the latter may be swung about itspivotalaxis at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively high :bar positioning speed. A `further object is to provide in a mining apparatus of the aforesaid type improved bar lswinging vmechanism wherein the fast speed swing occurs in one direction and the slow speed swing inthe opposite direction. These and other `objects of this invention will, however, subsequently more fully appear as the description proceeds.` In the accompanying drawings there is shown for `purposes of illustration one embodiment which the invention mayy assume in practice.

In these drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, partially broken away in horizontal section to illustrate details of construction, of the improved kerf cutting mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a transverse 'vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33`of Fig. 1. n

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 4 4 of Fig., 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the il'nproved'speed controlling clutch device. i

In this embodiment of the invention the 45 same is shown for purposes `of illustration incorporated with the kerf cutting lnecha-V nism generally designated l of a coal mining apparatus which is herein ofthe sokcalled universal cutter type adapted to 5 operate from thev mine trackway and is here.

Another in of the same general construction asthat described in a copending application of one Morris 1P. Holmes, Serial No. 6,477, filed February 2, 1925 now matured into Patent No. 1,786,243, patented Dec. 23, 1930. The kerf 55 cutting mechanisml in this instance com,- prises ka rotatable cutter head frame 2 having a pivotal bearingv 3 about a horizontal longitudinal axis on the body 4 of the mining apparatus, the cutter head frame being rotat- C@ able about its pivotal axis throughl connectionsv which may assume the form of those described in theaforesaid application from the power shaft 5 of the driving motor of the apparatus. The driving motor is herein @5 preferably of the reversible electric typeand its power shaft 5 isA horizontallyvdisposed and extends longitudinally of the apparatus and projects-axially through the pivotal bearing 3 for the rotatable cutter head frame.l V3 As shown in Fig..3, fixed tothe forward end of the motor shaft and rotatable therewith is a toothed clutch member 6 connectible by an operator-controlled shiftable toothed clutch member 7 to a toothed clutchmember 8 se- D cured to a shaft 9 alined with V the `motor shaft 5 andv suitably journaled within the cutter head frame. Herein formed integral with the shaft 9 is a bevelpinien 10V meshing r with a bevel gear 11 secured toand rotatable ed with a transversev shaft 12 likewise suitably journaled within the cutter head frame. Also rotatable with the shaft12 is a spur pinion Y13 meshingwith a large spur gear 14 having itshub portion j ournaled on ball bearings 15 supported by a transverse shaft 16 suitably vjournale-d Within the cutter head frame.' 'lhe hub portion of the spur gear 14 is connected by a semi-,permanent clutch 17 to a clutch member 18 journaled on a-bearing sleeve supported by the shaft 16. The clutch member 18 is connectible by an operator-controlled shiftable clutch member 19 to a clutch member 20 keyed at 21 to the shaft 16. Keyed at 22 to vone end kof the shaft 16 is a drive sprocket 23 which engages and drives an endless cutter bit carrying cutter chain 24 movable in an orbit about the outer edges :of an elongated plane cuttery ybar 25. It will thus be seen that when the clutches 6,l 7, 8 i

Y thereto by -screws 26 a ring-like member 27 ,having anl annular bearing surface engaging a thrust ring 28 secured by screws 29 to the cutter head frame 2, the cutter bar also having formedintegral therewith a radial flange 30V having an annular bearing surface engaging the opposite side of the thrust ring. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, secured to the cutter bar 25 by screws 31 is a cylindrical bearing member' 32 surrounding the drive shaft 16 and journaled in a bearing sleeve 33 supported by a cylindrical bearing portion 34 of the cutter head frame.

The improved mechanism for effecting swinging movement of the cutter bar about its pivotal axis relative to the cutter head frame herein comprises a spur pinion 35 meshing with the spur gear 14, the axes of the gears 35 and 14 lying in a common transverse vertical plane. This spur pinion is keyed at 36 to a transverse shaft 37 arranged parallel with the shaft 16 and journaled in ball bearings 38 suitably supported within the cutter head frame 2. The shaft 37 has fixed thereto at 39 a worm 40 meshing with a worm wheel 41. This worm wheel 41 is journal'ed on a ball bearing 42 supported by a sleeve member 43 keyed at 44 to a horizontal drive shaft 45 extending transversely of the cutter head frame and journaled at its ends in ball bearings 46 supported thereby. As illustrated, the worm wheel 41 carries a series of clutch discs 48 which are interleaved with a corresponding series of clutch discs 49 carried by the sleeve 43. The means for applying the clutch 48, 49 to connect the sleeve 43 to the Worm wheel 41 comprises a pressure plate 50. Threadedly connected within the side of the cutter head frame is a pressure screw 51 to press the pressure plate 50 and having a suitable operating handle 52. It will thus be evident that when the pressure screw 51 is screwed inwardly the pressure .plate 50 is forced axially inwardly, thereby pressing the friction discs into frictional `driving engagement.

In this illustrative form of the invention a spur gear 54 is shown formed integral with the shaft V45 and meshing with a plurality of spur gears 55, herein three, journaled on studs 56 fixed at 57 to a rotatable spider member 58 journaled on a member 58a keyed to the shaft 45. Meshing with the gears is an internal gear 59 having its hub portion journaled within a ball bearing 60 and rigidly ixed at 61 to a hollow sleeve or shaft 62 through which the main driving shaft 45 extends. This shaft 62 is ournaled in suitable bearings 63 formed within the cutter head frame. Herein formed integral with the hollow drive shaft 62 intermediate its ends is a worm 64 meshing with a worm gear 65 (see also Fig. 3) keyed to a clutch member 66 rotatably mounted on a transverse shaft 67 arranged parallel with the drive shaft 16 and likewise suitably journaled within the cutter head frame. The clutch member 66 is connectible by an operator-controlled clutch member 68 to a clutch member 69 keyed at 7 0 to the shaft 67. Herein formed integral with the shaft 67 at one end thereof is a spur pinion 71 meshing with an internal gear 72 formed integral with the bearing support 27 for the cutter bar.

An improved clutch device generally designated 75 is employed for controlling the speed of rotation of the worm shaft 62 and herein comprises a clutch member 76 slidably mounted on the shaft 45 and having clutch teeth 77 interlocked with clutch teeth 78 formed on the hub of the pinion supporting spider 58. As more clearly shown in Fig. 5, it will be observed that the clutch member 76 has clutch teeth 79 and 8O which are alternatively connectible to clutch teeth 81 and 82 carried by the member 58a keyed to the shaft 45 and cutter' head frame 2 respectively. It will thus be evident that when the clutch member is shifted inwardly from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the pinion supporting spider 58 is clutched directly to the member 58a keyed to the shaft 45 while when the clutch member is shifted in the opposite direction, i. e., the position shown in Fig. 5, the pinion supporting spider 58 is held against rotation relative to the lcutter head frame.

The operator-controlled means for shifting the clutch member 76 herein comprises an actuating rod 83 mounted for endwise movement in a bore 84 extending centrally through the drive shaft 45. This operating rod 83 has xed thereto at its opposite ends at opposite sides of the cutter head suitable operating handles 85. A spring pressed plunger 86 carried by the cutter head frame is engageable with spaced grooves on the opera-ting rod and is employed to hold the latter in its different axially adjusted positions. Fixed to and -extendingtransversely of the operating rod 83 is a pin 87 having its ends projecting through longitudinal slots 87n in the shaft 45 within an annular' groove 88 formed internally within the clutch member 76. It will be evident that this pin and groove connection between the operating rod and clutch member permits the shaft 45 to rotate freely relative thereto while still enabling the clutch member to be shifted axially relative to the shaft at will.

The `operating mechanisms for theshiftable clutch lmembers 7, 19, and 68 are of a 'type' similar to those described .in the-above mentioned application of MorrisP. Holmes'and-K as these operating meansl do not specifically reside in this invention further description of the same is deemed unnecessary.

" 11, 13f,and14.tothermotor shaft 5.`v The clutch member `58 is thenfshifted axially connecting ther worm`- wheel 65 to the shaft 67 The operator then grasps one of the operati ing handles 85` and slides the operating rod 83 inwardly fromthe positionshown in Fig.

5,.thereby shiftingv theclutch member 7 6 to connect the clutch teeth 7 9 thereon with the teeth 81 on the member 58a keyed to the shaft 45, the teeth 80 on the clutch member beingv released from the teeth 82 on the cutter head frame at that time. The operator then grasps 'the operating handle 52 and applies the clutch 48, 49 connecting the'worm wheel 41 in frictional driving engagement with the shaft 45 to effect rotation o f the latter. Ro-

tation: ofthe shaft 45 is transmitted' tothe spur pinion 54 turning `the same together-with lthe pinions 55 and internal gear 59 which are at that time Ilocked to the shaft 45 by the en- -mgagement of the vclutch -tcethfon the clutch member 76 with the teeth on the shaft. As a result, rotation of the shaft 45 is transmitted directly to the worm 64 rotating the latter in the same angular rate therewith at a f fast speed. The `worm 64 drives the worm wheel gand spur pinion 71, which meshes with internal gear 72 connectedto the cutter bar, thereby effecting swinging movement of the cutter bary relative to the cutter head frame lata relatively high barpositioning` speed. When it is desiredfto effect bar swing at a relatively slow cutting. speedin the opposite direction, Ithe operator grasps the handle 85 andk shifts the clutch member 76 to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5,v thereby connecting thepinion supporting vspider 58 to the cutter head frame by engagement of the teeth 8O on the clutch member 7 6` with the teeth 82 onthe frame. Upon application of the friction clutch within the worm wheel 41 tively slow cutting speed in an opposite direction from the fast speed bar swing de- It is also evident that whenk scribed above. the clutch member 76 is shifted into its intermediate or neutral positionboth fast and slow speed swinging mechanismsare disconnected from the worm wheel 41, the worm gearing 64,v 65 being self-locking thereby holding the cutter bar against swinging movement relative to the cutter' head frame at that time. lIt will further be evident that whenthe clutchmember 19 is shifted to a position to' connect the clutch members 18 and 20 together thecutterchain 24 may be driven fromthe motor shaft at will during either direction of bar. swing.V These and other operations ofthe improved bar kswinging mechanism will berclearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved and simplified bar swinging mechanism is provided which is ydriven through a simple and compact gear train directly from the cutter chain driving gear, only a single worm gear train being employed inthe plural speed drive for swinging the cutter bar at either of its speeds. It will further .be noted that byemploying the gearing togetherwith the controlling clutch de-v vice therefor, simple mechanism is attained vwherein a plurality of speeds, i. e. a kslow tion may assume in practice,`it will be understood that this embodiment Lof the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that various otherinodifications andembodiments may be used Without departing from` its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

W'hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1 In a miningapparatus, kerf cutting rsaid shaft extending through said second gear, and plural speed mechanism between said shaftand said second gear rfor driving the latter at a plurality of speeds, said plural speed mechanism lying wholly at one side of said second gear.

2. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a driving gear, a shaft coaxial with and extending through said gear, a controlling clutch for connecting said shaft to said gear, a second gear coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism betweensaid iirst and said second gears for driving said second gear at a plurality of speeds, said plural speed mechanism being disposed at the opposite side of said second gear from said clutch.

8. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a driving gear, a shaft coaxial With and extending through said gear, a controlling clutch for connecting said shaft to said gear, a second gear coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said first and said second gears for driving said second gear at a plurality of speeds, said plural speed mechanism being disposed coaxially with and at the opposite side of said I second gear from said clutch.

fl. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cuttingl speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a worm wheel, a shaft coaxial with and extending through said worm wheel, a conrolling clutch for connecting said shaft to said worm wheel, a worm coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said worm wheel and said worm for driving the latter at a plurality of speeds.

5. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar,

1 and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a worm wheel, a shaft coaxial with and extending through said worm wheel, a controlling clutch for connecting saidshaft to said worm wheel, a worm coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said worm wheel and said worm for driving the latter at a plurality of speeds, said plural speed mechanism being disposed at the opposite side of said worm from said clutch.

6. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar,

and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a worm wheel, a shaft coaxial With and extending through said worm wheel, a controlling clutch for connecting said shaft to said worm wheel, a worm coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said Worm wheels and said worm for driving the latter at a plurality of speeds, said plural speed mechanism being disposed coaxially with and at the opposite side of said worm from said clutch. i

7. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism includingv a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a driving gear, a shaftcoaxal with and ext-ending through said gear, a controllingelutch for connecting said shaft to said gear, a second gear coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said first and second gears for driving said second gear at a plurality of speeds, said plural speed mechanism being disposed at the opposite side of said second gear from said clutch and comprising a clutch device for connecting a rotatable part of said plural speed mechanism to a. stationary abutment or for `connecting relatively rotatable parts thereof together for simultaneous rotation.

8. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting 'i mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a `driving gear, a shaft coaxial with and extending through said gear, a controlling clutch for connecting said shaft to said gear, a second gear coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said first and second gears for driving said second gear at a plurality of speeds, said plural speed mechanism being disposed at the opposite side of said second gear from said clutch and including a clutch device arranged coaxially with said second gear for connecting a rotatable part of said plural speed mechanism to a stationary abutment or for connecting relatively rotatable parts thereof together for simultaneous rotation.

9. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bai', and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed com- Cai theother side of said gearfor driving the latter at a plurality of speeds, and a drive shaft extendingcoaxially through said gear betweenv said clutch and said plural speed gearing for transmitting drive from the clutch to said plural. speed gearing.

10. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting Lmechanism including a pivoted cutter bar,

and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swingat a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bai' positioning speed comprising a driving gear operatively connected to said bar, and means for driving said gear at fast and slow speeds including a controlf ling clutch disposed coaxially with said gear at'one side thereof, plural speed gearing at the other side of said gear, and a drive shaft f extending coaxially through said gearbetween said clutch and said plural speed gearing, said plural speed gearing including a clutch device for holding an element of said gearing stationary or for permitting free ro-y tation thereof.

11. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comj prising a driving gear operatively connected to said bar, and means for driving said gear at fast and slow speeds including a controlling clutcli disposed coaxially with said gear at one side thereof, plural speed gearing at the other side of said gear, and a drive shaft extending coaxially through said gear between said clutch andsaid plural speed gearing, said plural speed gearing including a clutch device for holding an element of said gearing stationary or for permitting free rotation thereof and for connecting relatively rotatable elements of said gearing together for simultaneous rotation.

12. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for efecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a driving gear operatively connected to said bar, a gear coaxial therewith, means for connecting said second mentioned gear to said first mentioned gear to effect drive of the latter at fast and slow speeds including-a conand motor driven mechanism for eii'ectingv bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at .a

c in their orbits to efect fasts relatively high barpositioning speed comprising a worm operatively connected to said cutter bar, and means including a worm Wheel coaxial with said worm for driving said worm at fast and slow speeds including a controlling clutch disposed coaxially with said woimf, wheel at one side of said worm, plural speed gearing at the other side of said worin, and a drive shaft extending coaxially through said worm and worm wheel between said clutch and pluralspeed gearing,

said shaft being connectible to said worm Vwheel by said clutch and to said worm through said plural speed gearing.

14. In a mining apparatus, kerf cuttingy mechanism includingk a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed comprising a worm gear train, a second Worm gear train, and plural speed gearing in the drive between said vworni gear trains.

15. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including va pivoted cutter bar, ,9b

andl motor driven mechanism for eilecting -bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a.

relatively fast bar positioning speed including coaxially arranged shafts through which bar swing is efected at bothr speeds, means yfor 'driving one shaft, a gear driven by the i other shaft, a gear element secured t0 said cut-ter bar and with which said gear meshes, a reduction gearing, and means for connecting said shafts directly together toA obtain a fast speed drive or to drive one shaft Vfrom the other. through said reduction gearing to obtain la slow yspeed drive.

mechanism including a pivotedcutter bar,

and mfotorV driven mechanism for eifecting bar swing at a slowcutting speed and ata 16. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting i relatively fast bar positioning speedincluding a gear, a coaxial gear, orbitally movable f gears meshing with ysaid gears, and driving connections between said coaxial gear and said cutterbar and operativelyl connected through interineshing gearing directly to the latter, said orbitally-movable gears moving rotating upon fixed axes to e ect slow speed swing 17. In amining apparatus, kerf cuttingV -mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar,

and motor driven mechanism for effectingk i,

bar swing at a slow cutting speed andata ed swing and relatively fast bar positioning s eed including a. gear, a coaxial gear and or itally mov-` able gears meshing with said coaxial gears,

and means for causing drive of one coaxial i gear by the other through saidv orbitally movable gears, while the'latter rotate upon Iixed axes, to obtain a slow speed drive or for connecting all of said gears together for rotation as a unit to obtain a high speed drive.`

i 18.'In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted critter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed includ ing a driving gear, a shaft Coaxial therewith, a second gear coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar and reversing and plural speed mechanism between said shaft and said second gear for effecting drive of said second gear by said shaft and including a driving element rotatable in one direction to effect slow speed swing and in the opposite direction to effect high speed swing.

19. In a mining apparatus, korf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speci and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed including a driving gear, a shaft coaxial therewith, a second gear coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar and plural speed mechanism between said shaft and said second gear for transmitting drive to the latter, said plural speed mechanism being arranged at the opposite side of saidfsccond` gear from said first gear.

20. In a mining apparatus, korf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting har swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed including a driving gear, a shaft coaxial therewith, a second gear coaxial with said shaft and operatively connected to said cutter bar, and reversing and plural speed mechanism between said shaft and said second gear for driving the latter, said plural speed mechanism being arranged generally coaxially with said shaft and including a gear rotatable in one direction to effect slow speed swing and in the opposite direction to effect high speed swing.

21. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar'swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed including a driving gear, a shaft coaxial with said gear, a worm coaxial with said shaft opere tively connected to said cutter bar, and plural speed mechanism between said gear and said worm for transmitting drive from the former to the latter, said plural speed mechanism being arranged at the opposite side of said worm from said driving gear.

22. In a mining apparatus, kerf cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar, 'and motor driven mechanism for effecting bar swing at a slow cutting speed and at a relatively fast bar positioning speed ineluding a plural speed mechanism comprising a clutch device for connecting a rotatable part thereof to a stationary abutment to obtain one speed or for connecting relatively rotat and comprising a clutch device for connect' ing a rotatable part of said plural speed mechanism to a stationary abutment or for connecting relatively rotatable parts thereof together for simultaneous rotation.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LOUIS A. MAXSON. 

